SJP Celebrates Annual Multicultural Day

On Friday, March 31, Saint Joseph Prep came together from all corners of the globe, celebrating a fantastic Multicultural Day!

As in years past, the SJP community took time to share and learn about each other's cultural histories, holidays, religions, languages, art, music, food, and dance. This year, we had fifteen cultures represented from around the world, ranging from Trinidad and Tobago to the Middle East. Advisories rotated through each classroom and participated in the interactive presentations prepared by our students. It was evident how much thought, time, and energy went into the lessons.

At the conclusion of the day, the School congregated in Phoenix Hall for a closing assembly. Each culture’s “captain” came before the community and answered questions about their presentation. Without any specific preparation, they did an outstanding job articulating the many ways in which their culture was special and unique.

Congratulations are in order to Mrs. Osborne’s advisory for winning the trivia competition, but the big prize went to the Korean team. As voted by the faculty and staff, these students produced the most engaging and educational presentation. Jessica Kwon ’17, their team captain, accepted the award in front of an enthusiastic student body.

Student leaders for each country’s or culture’s classroom were, as follows: Herminio Alvarez ’18 (Puerto Rico); Martine Bjoernstad ’17 (Norway); Anthony Bradley ’17 (Italy); Aleksandra Christie ’19 (Russia); Rebekah Forrest ’17 (Judaism); Chuning Gao ’19 (China); McKenzie Jennette ’18 (Trinidad and Tobago); Anthony Khoory ’19 (Middle East); Sharon King ’17 (Ireland); Jessica Kwon ’17 (South Korea); Armani Monteiro ’17 (Cape Verde); Emmanuella Rene ’19 (Haiti); Sophia SaPonte ’17 (Greece); Jonathan Stratter ’17 (Peru); Maren Strauss ’19 (Germany).

Special thanks go out to all those who participated in the Multicultural Day and, of course, to the Foreign Language department (Ms. Bacon, Ms. Beach, Ms. Becker, and Ms. Creamer) who led the charge. 

The affirmation of—and the appreciation for—all of the unique traditions from which we come prove that at Saint Joseph Prep, we do not merely “tolerate” diversity, we celebrate it! This is the SJP way.